WRAL led the nation in HD television development. WRAL-TV obtained the first experimental HDTV (high-definition television) license in June of 1996 and became the first commercial television station in the nation to broadcast a HDTV signal a little over one month later. In 2000, WRAL converted its entire news operation to HD, including the cameras onboard the news helicopter, SKY 5. This promo informs the viewer of the benefits of watching HD, even though many did not have an HD television set in 2000.

Scotty McCreery won season 10 of American Idol in 2011. McCreery is a country music singer who grew up in Garner, North Carolina, a few miles east of Raleigh. WRAL and sister station WRAZ provided extensive coverage about McCreery’s rise to fame on American Idol and ultimately winning the contest. WRAL reporter Monica Laliberte gives us an overview of Scott’s journey from audition to advancing to the finals.

Cribbage players travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to compete in the annual National Cribbage Tournament – the world’s largest cribbage event.

Nick Pond, former WRAL Sports director/anchor and avid cribbage player, formed the American Cribbage Congress and national tournament in 1973. The competition was held in the studios of WRAL-TV.

We have two vintage stories about the tournament. The first story aired in 2013. Scott Mason, the Tar Heel Traveler, provides a bit of history about this brainy card game.

The second video aired in 1979. WRAL News reporter Del Walters talks with WRAL Sports anchor Nick Pond explains how cribbage, a popular game at family and friend gatherings, came out of the living room to take center stage with its own tournament.

WRAL News photographer Richard Adkins flew into the eye of a storm named Irene, August 2011. You’ll see what happens inside this special aircraft referred to as a “Hurricane Hunter” as it criss-crosses through a hurricane.

Adkins wrote and shot this story. It is voiced by WRAL News anchor David Crabtree.

WRAL news anchor Bill Leslie and news photographer Rick Armstrong document North Carolina native Bill Caudill’s search for his Scottish ancestral homeland. Along the way they meet an artist, visit castles, watch Bill Caudill participate in a bagpipe competition and learn about the significance of the tartan.

Enjoy this six part series produced in May, 1986 and aired prior to the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans in July, 1986. You will discover that the people in Scotland have a high regard for the gathering that takes place every year near Linville, North Carolina.

Bill Caudill is Director of the Scottish Heritage Center and Instructor of the College Pipe Band at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company founded in 1937. This website has two primary missions – to preserve CBC’s rich history and to make it accessible to the public.